Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle

Andrea Brown: music director
Peter Adcock: piano
Stephen Tanner: harmonium
Emily Vine: soprano
Alison Kettlewell: mezzo-soprano
Thomas Hobbs: tenor
Frederick Long: bass-baritone

Much loved by the late, erstwhile music director of EFC, Nigel Perrin, Rossini's kaleidoscopic Petite Messe Solennelle was the all-embracing masterpiece Nigel chose to be performed to celebrate his 60th birthday. We trust he would have approved of our choice of choral and instrumental setting that sees EFC at its height, with four outstanding soloists and piano and harmonium instrumentation in the beautiful setting of St David's Church in Exeter.

The ultimate fusion of visceral music, both secular and sacred, instrumental, choral and soloistic, serious and comic, it offers something tantalising and rewarding for all concert-goers. It is neither small nor solemn, nor is it written in French, and is more of an opera in character than a liturgical Mass. It journeys from show-stopping roller coaster rides with appealing, memorable music for all performers, to intimate delicate utterances by just a few, via a whole host of beautiful, eloquent and impassioned music in between.

Please support us in dedicating this performance to Nigel's memory.

The venue has full disabled access. Entry is free for accompanying carers.

Running time: 90 minutes plus 20-minute interval (refreshments available)